SOUTH BERWICK, ME – While schools across the country grapple with changes in funding, implementing new curriculum standards, and how to use technology in classrooms, Berwick Academy is taking a creative approach to tell its success story. The school made a case for why it has one of the most innovative education programs and is now hoping it will be enough for a shot at thousands of dollars worth of products and services from a leading education company.

Berwick Academy applied to the Follett Challenge, a program run by Follett to recognize and reward schools for their work applying technology, content and creativity in ways that engage students, foster literacy and promote critical thinking. Six winning schools will be awarded with the cash-equivalent of a total of $200,000 worth of products and services.

As part of the competition, Berwick Academy created a short video about the Berwick Innovation Center. The video is now posted on the Follett Challenge website for the public to vote for their favorite school. 30% of the school’s total entry is determined by the number of votes its video receives, so the School is asking for the community’s help by voting for the Berwick Academy video.

The Berwick Innovation Center (BIC) has also been recently recognized through WSCH newschannel 6’s program, “Schools that Shine.” BIC is a student-driven program in which BA students are given the opportunity to conduct an innovation project which focuses on a topic that they are passionate about, but is not offered in the School’s regular curriculum.

The public will vote until March 15 for the school with the best video overview about their program. BA’s submission is available on the Follett Challenge website under the “View Entries” tab (search Berwick) or can be accessed directly with the following link: http://www.follettchallenge.com/video.cfm?id=105. After registering, users can cast one vote per day.